Scott Willoughby

This photo collage by Rob Yaskovic is one of several images that will be featured Thursday night at a fourth annual Surface Film event hosted by the Greenbacks of Trout Unlimited at Anthology Fine Art Gallery in Denver. The fundraiser showcases top fishing photography from across the country, all of which will be offered for sale. (Rob Yaskovic, Special to The Denver Post)

The Greenbacks are making cold-water conservation just a little cooler.

Frankly, it isn't that hard. While the entire concept of conservation could be considerably sexier, let's face it: Trout fishing (which is really what we're talking about here) has a slight image problem of its own. The picture in many minds is that of a, shall we say, distinguished gentleman waving a fancy fly rod on an often exclusive stretch of water where he graciously practices catch-and-release. Somewhere in his wallet, or on a polished bumper, lies proof of his Trout Unlimited membership.

And for that, we thank him.

But the Greenbacks would like you to consider a different picture, a somewhat younger, arguably hipper and more exuberant image of the trout fisherman-conservationist. And this unique branch of Colorado TU would be eminently stoked if you considered that picture Thursday at Anthology Fine Art Gallery (635 Santa Fe Drive), along with a couple dozen more.

In its fourth year, Surface Film has emerged as the signature event for the Greenbacks. Curated by fine arts photographer Tim Romano of Boulder, the photo show gathers the "passion project" work of about 20 fishing-infatuated shutterbugs and offers them up as philanthropic chum. Throw in a bluegrass band and an Upslope Beer sponsorship and you have a snapshot of a Greenbacks chapter meeting.

"I kept looking around and noticing that there weren't a lot of young people at the TU meetings I went to. I figured I wasn't the only person in his 30s that was interested in cold-water fisheries conservation, so I started working with the state chapter and came up with the Greenbacks concept," said Nick Hoover, the group's informal president. "We wanted to do something more fun, exciting and entertaining. Not that you can't have fun at a meeting, but there are other ways to do it too."

Although there are no age restrictions, the group's nucleus consists of avid anglers in their mid-30s, straying from perceptions of the typical TU chapter. Likewise, Surface Film makes an effort to stray from what many might consider typical fishing photography.

"I'd describe it as beyond the grip-and-grin," Romano said. "I wanted to show more culture, more landscape, a little more on the fine art side. The feeling of fishing, but from people who see things a little bit differently."

As a former photo editor of "The Fly Fish Journal," Romano tapped his stable of photographers — including Val Atkinson, Lewis Cahill, Copi Voipa and Ben Knight — in order to find the sort of exceptional images capable of setting the Greenbacks apart. Some photos might be considered provocative, from a fishing perspective, even edgy. Others are classic wall-hangers.

"We want to raise money, but it's more of an awareness thing and we want to get people out and talking," Romano said. "If we have a boring show, that's not going to happen. Selling prints is only part of it."

Framed photos from the exhibit will sell for $280 each, along with a limited number of unframed prints for $100.

A winner-take-all raffle package tallies up to about $1,500 worth of gear for $20 a chance.

"It just sort of worked out that way," Hoover said. "But we've been around almost five years now and had never really done any true conservation stuff. We've always been more interested in building community. Now the plan is to put on a great event to get people out and then hit them over the head with conservation. We want to do whatever we can to help these fish out."

"People are interested and want to do something, but don't know what," Romano added. "We try to make it easier for them. They at least have fun with us."

The fourth annual event showcases top fishing photography from across the country at Anthology Fine Art Gallery, 635 Santa Fe Drive, starting Thursday at 7 p.m. A second-chance showing will take place at The Wildlife Experience in Parker next month.

Rockies relief pitcher John Axford, who hasn't pitched for the team since last Wednesday, was forced to leave spring training camp after his 2-year-old son was bit by a rattlesnake twice in his right foot.

One-day event to run slide down University HillIt's not quite the alternative mode of transportation that Boulder's used to, but, for one day this summer, residents will be able to traverse several city blocks atop inflatable tubes.

DETROIT (AP) — In a story March 27 about a 'Little Syria' exhibit going to Ellis Island, The Associated Press, due to incorrect information from the Arab American National Museum, erroneously reported the date the exhibit will open. Full Story